Mullein: The Great Opener
I have so much love for a lone Mullein Torch, sweating it out in the dried up river bed. The only green plant in a seeming desert of rocks. In full sun, the afternoon heats the river stones to sauna temperatures and burns our bare feet. Mullein doesn’t complain about the growing conditions, she doesn’t resent her environment or the ladybugs and grasshoppers dwelling in the shade of her leaves. Mullein is a constant out here. She provides a microclimate for life to take rest. Her fuzzy leaves are a soft haven to insects, collecting dew each morning and casting shade every afternoon. Mullein isn’t slouching in resentment or riddled with doubt because near by plants are growing nearby in comfy shaded communities. Even though her skirt leaves are literally burnt to a crisp, Mullein stands tall, knows her role, provides shelter, and most notable of all, she makes it look easy. Im trying to be more like this Mullein.
Mullein is the Great opener. She relieves heat and tension in the mind of those who think too much. Mullein’s bold stalk calls us to sit up straight, strengthen our mental clarity, our will power and backbone.
Are you lacking in mental or physical flexibility? Are your neck and back stiff from misalignment? I know mine are, and it’s Mullein’s Nervine Actions and affinity for the spinal column that really peaks my interest.
As a nervine, Mullein relieves pain in nerve rich areas. Let’s consider using Mullein Extract in combination with St Johns wort Extract to heal hand and foot injuries, and back injuries, particularly when lubricating spinal synovial fluid is important. Mullein brings moisture to dry places like joints, ligaments and connective tissue. She moves stagnant lymphatics in the lungs and glands. Our Mullein Extract has high value in my Apothecary and now is a wonderful time to bring forth the blessings of Mullein from disturbed soil and rocky ground into your home medicine cabinet.
I haven’t even mentioned yet that of the best ways to use our Mullein Extract is as a ally to the Respiratory system. Its a Heal All Remedy for issues of the Sinuses, Lungs and Larynx. Our Mullein Extract is soothing to a dry cough, relaxes bronchial and relieves inflammation. Mullein is indicated for nearly any condition Lung related like Asthma, Bronchitis, dry cough, smokers cough, sore throat and pneumonia. I call on our Mullein Extract when I have tightness and congestion in my sinuses, head and ears, wet or dry respiratory conditions. Mullein nourishes and strengthens the lungs. How about our West Coast fire season? We have had a few brutal years where smoke from wild fires hung thick in the air for weeks on weeks. These are the times when I hold Mullein close.
In the spring I harvest the leaves for our Mullein Extract. When I make an extract of Mullein, I gather arterial leaves before the stalk and flowers shoot up in mid summer. I chop the leaves, put them in a clean glass jar and pour 100 proof vodka on top. After 6+ weeks I’ll strain the plant material and am ready to use my Mullein Extract. I drink it by the dropper full (about 25 drops) in a splash of water. The relief is immediate. Our Mullein Extract relaxes and opens congestion in my lungs, sinuses and head. It’s incredible how well this remedy forms for me-true mullein magic.
